Concrete Patio Designs - Let's Make them Exciting

Concrete patio designs do not have to be boring! There are way to make it very attractive.

Here are a couple of concrete patio ideas.

One of the things you can do to make an interesting concrete patio is to add color to the concrete.

The other is to create a geometric pattern. This is different than stamped concrete.

Colored Concrete Patios

Although there are various methods of adding color to concrete, the most long lasting way is to add the color right into the concrete mixture before it is poured.

You can select from many colors, although keeping them soft and natural will look best for the concrete decorative patio. For example, colors such as light to medium gray, beiges and even soft peach are nice choices.

When the color is added to the concrete mixture it will be streak free, long lasting and non-fading.

Acid based stains are another interesting way to color concrete. The color is variegated and translucent. It gives an aged look, with shades of color similar to natural stone. The process can be tricky, so an experienced professional should be used.

Concrete Patio Designs & Patterns

An attractive patio design can be made by creating a pattern of squares. The geometry is created by scoring the concrete. Squares can be created in various sizes. Eighteen inch to twenty four inch squares are a good place to start as considerations.

One of the advantages of this method, is that construction joints, which keep concrete from cracking, are blended into the scoring pattern. They are not visible.

This concrete patio design process works well on hardscape that has a large expanse of concrete, such as patios or swimming pool decking.

You might lay the concrete pattern straight or you might give it even more interest by laying it on the diagonal.

This lovely concrete patio was designed by Thomas Church.

Stamped concrete is another patio material that can be used to create a concrete decorative patio. However, I stay away from this method. Most people find this attractive because there are many patterns available that look like natural stone.

The problem is the construction joints. If you have a natural stone pattern, you will see a straight line (construction joint) going through the paving. It's very unattractive.

Concrete is one of the less expensive paving materials. When used, a project can be very attractive if some of the above methods are incorporated to give the patio or pool decking some spice!

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